Manchester United new boy Tyrell Malacia has admitted that it’s a dream come true to walk in the Old Trafford footsteps of Robin van Persie.
The Dutch international defender has become Erik ten Hag's first signing for the Reds after arriving in a £13million deal from Feyenoord. Like Van Persie, the 22-year-old has moved to the Premier League after coming through the ranks of the Rotterdam club.
And while it is a huge thrill to wear the shirt that his hero graced for three years towards the end of his glittering playing career, it was when Malacia first visited Manchester for a youth-team tournament that his ambition was fired. Malacia said: “I always followed Manchester United because Robin van Persie played there and he was a Feyenoord player.
“He was a lad who came from the academy at Feyenoord, too - just like me. That's why I got an extra feeling with this club. In the youth team of Feyenoord we played a youth tournament at United years ago - and I was so impressed by everything. I said to myself ‘I’ll come back here one day.’ That has now come true and that is, of course, wonderful.
“This is one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a fantastic stadium and a wonderful history- and of course with a lot of top players who have played here. I am proud but also very grateful that I get this opportunity. I understand that the work on an even higher level only begins now.
“Becoming better every day and showing at this level that you can measure up. I have worked hard all my career and this is a reward for that, for me and for all the people who have always supported me and believed in me.”
Van Persie works in the Feyenoord academy - and turned down the opportunity to return to United as part of Ten Hag’s backroom staff when the Dutchman took over at Old Trafford. Malacia revealed that he turned to the former striker for advice when United made their interest in him known.
He has also spoken to Tahith Chong, the attacking midfielder who was a youth-team pal at Feyenoord before joining United in 2016. Malacia, in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, added: “I talked to him (Van Persie) about the club and the city. About places to live.
“Also through my childhood friend Tahith Chong, with whom I played at Feyenoord, I have heard a lot. I’m only just coming to this level so I still have to show what I can do. But I want to reach the very highest and go for it - and I think I can do it, yes.
“Mr Ten Hag is a very good coach and also a warm person, so I had a good conversation with him and I have a very good connection with him. That's important, because if all goes well we'll be working together for many years. I'm looking forward to that, because I think I can learn a lot from him. He has a record for improving players individually, as long as they are prepared to work hard.”
Malacia joined Feyenoord at the age of seven and saying goodbye to his team-mates at the weekend to travel to Manchester was an emotional experience. But he admitted that the chance to play in the Premier League was too good to turn down.
Malacia said: “My team-mates at Feyenoord were very sad because I played together with some for so long and we really built a bond. Everyone wished me the best and I will always keep in touch with a lot of those guys. Feyenoord is my club - and it always will be. I am a boy of the club and of the city, so yes Feyenoord is my home and is forever in my heart.
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“But I want to reach the highest level so there comes a moment when you have to say goodbye. I will never forget what I owe to Feyenoord. But I love the experience in the stadiums in England. Feyenoord comes closest to that in the Netherlands. It will be fantastic to experience and I can’t wait.
“I also feel the tempo and the spirit in the matches will suit my game. And just look at all the fantastic footballers in the Premier League: Ronaldo, De Bruyne, Salah - and in the past people like Henry, Van Persie, Van Nistelrooy.”
